I'm providing beer for a wedding reception in January that will host upwards of 50-75 people, with the vast majority of the beer consumers present being unaccustomed to craft brews. What have folks out there used for this type of situation in the past in order to provide drinks that will leave everyone, if not happy, at least content? My thought is 4 5-gallon batches covering a range of styles (I haven't decided yet if I'll try to do a mobile tap setup or just bottles, but I'm leaning toward the former); the groom specifically requested a red, which is nice as I'm pleased with a red recipe I've done several times in the past. I'm considering the following selections:

* BM's Centennial Blonde: I've made a half dozen batches of this over the years, and it always seems to go terrifically.
* Orfy's mild: Been on my list for a while, but haven't gotten it done yet. I may do a trial batch first to see how it goes.
* Irish red: My own recipe; may not please everyone, but I and the groom will be happy, so there's that.
* Wit: I have a recipe I've done several times that has been well-received in most cases, but largely by craft drinkers. This one may be up for replacement.

Any other suggestions or words of warning? I've never supplied such a large crowd before and while I doubt I'll get much negative feedback regardless (gathering is largely family), I'd like to do my best to get everyone happy.

I would replace the Wit with a Kolsch, an Alt, or a C3C.
You may also want to replace the Mild; I would think that the goal may have to be to make low alcohol, easy drinking (dry), and highly carbonated brews?

A well done wit would satisfy the Blue Moon/Shock Top crowd. My wife does not like hoppy beer and drinks my kolsch which is a great, easy drinking ale that really tastes like a lager. Cream Ale or Blonde Ale are also good candidates.

Just buy them the bud light they want and provide delicious beer for those who care. Personally I'm done trying to convert people that aren't open minded enough to try new things(and actually give them a chance) that they may love. Craft beer is expensive enough at its current demand level.

Just buy them the bud light they want and provide delicious beer for those who care. Personally I'm done trying to convert people that aren't open minded enough to try new things(and actually give them a chance) that they may love. Craft beer is expensive enough at its current demand level.

With all respect, this is not the advice he asked for. He was asked to provide craft brew for his friend's wedding, and he wants to make beer everyone will enjoy and remember for a long time. I know a lot of my friends wrinkle their nose when they come to my house and I offer them an IPA or a stout, but I enjoy the challenge of making a beer my BMC friends enjoy drinking. I want them to look forward to coming over to my house and drinking good beer when I invite them. Not feeling like they have to bring their own or drink Coke. That's just me.

With all respect, this is not the advice he asked for. He was asked to provide craft brew for his friend's wedding, and he wants to make beer everyone will enjoy and remember for a long time. I know a lot of my friends wrinkle their nose when they come to my house and I offer them an IPA or a stout, but I enjoy the challenge of making a beer my BMC friends enjoy drinking. I want them to look forward to coming over to my house and drinking good beer when I invite them. Not feeling like they have to bring their own or drink Coke. That's just me.

I answered his question in a round about way. His question is what beers he should make, I told him to make beer for his good beer audience and not to worry about making a beer for BMC drinkers, buy them BMC.

BTW, I go out of my way to have bud light at my house for BMC drinkers despite the fact that none of them go out of their way to provide me with a beverage I like to drink when I visit their house.

If you have the time and the means to do one I would suggest actually brewing a lager. Despite the caution of many on here brewing a good lager really isn't that hard as long as you can control your temperatures. I consider lagers a gateway beer for BMC loving friends, it doesn't take long to get them interested in the other beers I make after that.